Game for learning correlated facts

ABSTRACT

A game for learning multiplication and division comprising a set of game boards, one for a caller and one for each player, with numbers thereon, blank chips for the players for covering such numbers, chips for the caller having numbers thereon to be multiplied and also their product. The caller picks one of his chips at random and announces two numbers to be multiplied and the players cover the product on their boards with a blank chip, this continuing until a player covers a predetermined group of such numbers on his board. The caller may also be provided with chips having numbers thereon to be divided and their quotient, the boards remaining the same, for learning division. By varying the insignia on the board and the insignia on the caller&#39;&#39;s chips other similar games may be played. Fractions, state capitals, time and measurement, addition and subtraction, may be learned.

United States Patent [191 Gariety et al.

[111 3,777,415 [4 1 Dec, 11,1973

1 1 GAME FOR LEARNING CORRELATED FACTS [76] Inventors: Harold L. Gariety, 4295 E. Mexico,

Denver; Carol J. Maloney; George F. Maloney, both of 1624 S. Yukon Ct., Lakewood, all of C010.

[22] Filed: Oct. 19, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 299,013

[52] U.S. Cl. ..35/31F, 273/135 B [51] Int. Cl. G09b H04 [58] Field of Search 35/31 F, 31 G, 70; 273/135 B [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,545,101 12/1970 Fikelg, 35/31 F 1,655,380 l/1928 Parker; 35/31 G X 2,769,640 11/1956 Elder 35/31 G X 1,402,807 1/1922 Tegtmeyer ct a1. 35/31 F Fennell 35/73 X Primary ExaminerWrn. H. Grieb AttorneyPhilip H. Sheridan et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A game for learning multiplication and division comprising a set of game boards, one for a caller and one for each player, with numbers thereon,-blank chips for the players for covering such numbers, chips for the caller having numbers thereon to be multiplied and also their product. The caller picks one of his chips at random and announces two numbers to be multiplied and the players cover vtheproduct on their boards with a blank chip, this continuinguntil a player covers a predetermined group of such numbers on his board. The caller may also be provided with chips having numbers thereon to be divided and their quotient, the boards remaining the same, for learning division.

. By varying the insignia on the board and the insignia on the callers chips other similar games may be played. Fractions, state capitals, time and measurement. addition and subtraction, may be learned.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures GAME FOR LEARNING CORRELATED FACTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The learning of a multiplication table is mainly a process of tedious memorization, hence for the young student it is difficult to maintian continued interest in a subject of such intangible nature. To stimulate interest in the teaching of the young, it U.S. common practice to associate a subject of learning with some other subject which will sustain interest. Thus, if the subject of learning can be associated with some sort of game or other activity which requires manual dexterity, the interest in the principal subject of learning may be indirectly stimulated and maintained. Further, if an element of competition between students can be incorporated in the activity of learning, this usually creates, not only increased interest, but also accelerated learning. This'has been recognized in the teaching of elementary mathematics by associating the subject with a game, as exemplified by U.S. Pats. Nos. 1,402,807 and 1,719,108. 7

In the teaching of multiplication, it has long been the practice to teach the 12 X 12 system in which the product of any combination of two numbers between 1 and 12 are memorized by the student. In the actual written calculation of the product of two numbers, one or both of which is larger than 9, (e.g., 10, ll, 12) the memorization of the product is not essential, however, hence the teaching of products beyond 81 appears superfluous for the basic understanding of multiplying any two numbers, regardless of the number of digits in each. The 12 X 12 system thus possibly could add some confusion to the student after having been memorized and when he advances to calculation of products of large numbers since he finds that the largest product which he ever directly records is 81, (9 X 9) the other products between 81 and 144 not being directly recorded since a carry may be involved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Game for aiding in the learning of multiplication characterized by a plurality of like game boards, one for the teacher caller and one for each player learner, the boards having groups of numbers, each group being in the from of a letter of the alphabet, the letters spelling a word, the groups each having a plurality of areas with numbers thereon which are the product of two numbers from O'through 9 which may be covered with blank chips by the players, the caller also having chips but each having a pair of numbers thereon from through 9 and the product of multiplication thereof, the caller selecting one of his chips at random and announcing the two numbers to be multiplied, the player knowing the product announcing same and, if correct, each player placing a blank chip over the corresponding number on his board, the first player to cover all numbers in a group forming a letter being the winner. There is no duplication of product numbers on each board and when a certain product occurs a second time a player must recognize this and announce his recognition'thereof. This entitles him to cover another area which is devoid of a number, providing him with a competitive advantage toward filling the areas in a group which tends to foster more rapid and accurate learning of the products of various numbers to be multiplied. With the use of the same boards, but with another set of chips for the caller, the game may be played to aid in the learning of division.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawing, FIG. 1 illustrates one of several playing boards upon which the letters of a word (FACTS) are printed, embossed, or otherwise designated, each letter outlining an area in which circular areas are disposed, each circular area having a number therein which is a product of numbersO through 9. Certain of the areas, for example F, A, C and S, contain another area, which is designated by insignia, other than a number (THATS A FACT). The numbers occur only once in the entire array of numbers and preferably the combinations of numbers in the various areas (F,A,C,T,S) differ on each board, for example, the numbers 24, l0, 14, 15, 9, 56, 2 might appear in F rather than 7, 8, 35, 72, 40, 64, 6, as illustrated. Four boards comprise a normal set, one for the caller and one for each of three players. This may be varied as desired, but as will be apparent, a minimum of two will be required, one for the caller and one for a player. Generally, however, there should be at least two players to establish an element of competition between them.

Each player is provided with a plurality of blank disks, FIG. 2, and the caller is provided with a plurality of disks, FIG. 3, which bear the designation of two numbers which are to be multiplied and the answer to the multiplication. I

FIG. 4 is a multiplication table of combinations of numbers from 0 through 9 with products from 0 through 81. While all of these could be used on the callers chips some have been omitted, these being the ones on the left side of the broken line at the left side of the table. As will be apparent, the caller has 82 chips with different arrangements of multipliers but with certain duplications of products. Thus, the product 6 is formed by chips 2 X 3, 3 X 2, and 6 X l. The fourth possibility, l X 6, falls within the group of omitted multipliers referred to.

The game is played as follows:

1. Each player and game caller selects a Facts playing board.

2. Game caller retains multiplication problem/answer chips and each player receives blank playing chips.

3. Game begins by game caller mixing up problemlanswer chips and calling out first problem to players. (Example 2 X 2) 4. One of the players must give correct answer to problem verbally, then players place blank chip on answer onFacts board. Game caller places problem/answer chip on his/her board.

5. Thats a Fact circles shown on face of board are used when a problem is called and has the same answer as one that has been called and covered. (Example: 2 X 2 vs. 4 X 1). When this occurs, player answering problem calls out Thats A Fact and may cover any one of the Thats A Fact circles he chooses on the board.

6. Game continues until a player has covered all the answers on any one of the Facts letters on the playing board; he then calls out, Facts and wins game.

7. Player then calls answers on winning letter to game caller who checks correct answers.

While 82 callers chips have been provided as indicated by FIG. 4, it will be apparent that it is within the purview of the invention to vary this number. For example, if the fundamental concept were first taught that zero times any number, or any number times zero, equals zero, then all callers chips having a multiplier could be omitted. The table in FIG. 4 could thus be a multiplication table of 1 through 9 by omitting the top line of figures (l X 0 through 9 X 0 0). As will be apparent letters other then F,A,C,T,S or other indicia for similar areas in which numbers are grouped may be employed within the purview of the invention.

For teaching division the same boards may be employed but the callers problem/answer chips are designated as exemplified by FIG. under Division. The top line of the FIG. 4 chart would then be: 0 X 1 0, 0 X 2 0 0 X 9 0. The bottom line would be: 18 X 2 9, 27 X 3 9, 81 X 9 9. As will be apparent, the quotients in each horizontal line are the same and are in ascending order from 0 through 9 or ten different numbers.

The board may remain the same as with multiplication but the covering of the boards with chips differs slightly. For example, the caller may announce 81 divided by 9. A player must then announce the correct answer 9. The players then cover 81 with blank chips.

By varying the indicia on the boards and the callers chips other games may be played as illustrated in FIG. 5. For example: the callers chips may have various fractions thereon and the board may have segments of a circle which are equivalent to the fraction announced by the caller; the callers chips may have States thereon and the board may have State Capitals thereon; the callers chips may have time of the day thereon and the board may have clock indicia thereon; the callers chips may have measurements in one system (U.S.) thereon and the board may have the equivalents in another system (metric); the callers chips may have numbers to be added and the board may have their sum; or the callers chips may have a number to be subtracted from another number and the board may have their difference.

In an exemplary form of the addition, just referred to, the callers chips may have all combinations of numbers from 0 through 9 (and in either order of their appearance). Thus, 0 0 0 would be the lowest sum and 9 9 18 would be the largest sum. Similarly, the lowest difference in subtraction would be 0 0 0 and the largest difference would be 18 9 9.

In any of the foregoing variants, however, the caller should have duplicates of at least some of his problem chips so that when the same problem is announced a second time a player may recognize this and thereby have the opportunity to place one of his blank chips over a non-answer area, such as Thats a Fact, thereby giving him the competitive advantage over the other players. I

What is claimed is:

l. A game for aiding in learning in which a caller announces a problem and a player announces the answer thereto, comprising:

A. a plurality of playing boards, one for the caller and one for each player of the game, each having a plurality of like shaped areas thereon, each area having indicia thereon which is the answer to the problem,

B. said areas being arranged in a plurality of groups,

each group being disposed within an area corresponding to a letter of the alphabet, the letters of the alphabet spelling a word, each answer occurring only once in the entire array of answers each board, the combinations of answers in the groups differing on the boards, whereby one player may find an answer in one letter of the alphabet and another player may find the answer in another letter of the alphabet.

C. other like areas disposed within at least some of said groups which are indentified therein by insignia other than an answer,

D. a plurality of blank chips for the player, or for each player if there be more than one, the chips being identical and devoid of distinguishing indicia thereon, said chips adapted to be placed on and cover the answers on the players board,

E. a plurality of like shaped chips for the'caller for covering problems on the callers board,

F. the last named chips each having a problem indicia thereon and at least some being at least in duplicate, the construction and arrangement being such that:

a. the caller may select at random one of his supply of chips and announce the problem thereon,

b. a player may announce the answer to the problem and place one of his chips over the answer on his board and, if the caller agrees that it is correct, other players, if any, may similarly place a blank chip over the corresponding answer on his board, v

c. in the event the answer is occupied by a blank chip on a players board he may announce such fact by a certain expression and dispose a chip on one of said areas indentified by other than an answer, and

(I. such procedure continuing until all areas in one of said groups on a players board are covered by chips.

2. A game in accordance with claim 1 wherein the answers on a players board are representative or suggestive of the problems in the callers chips,

A. the problem is the multiplication or division of two numbers and the answer is their product or quotient, respectively,

B. the problem is a written fraction and the answer is a segment of a circle representing same,

C. the problem is a State and the answer is the Capital thereof, D. the problem is the numerical time of day E. the problem is a dimension in one system of measurement, and the answer is its equivalent in another system of measurement, F. the problem is the addition of two numbers, or the subtraction of one number from another number and the answer is the sum or difference, respectively.

3. A game in accordance with claim 1 wherein the problem indicia on the callers chips comprise two numbers which are to be calculated and also the answer to the calculation.

4. A game in accordance with claim 3 wherein the numbers to be calculated on the callers chips are a multiplicand and a multiplier and the answer number thereon is their product.

5. A game in accordance with claim 3 wherein the numbers to be calculated on the callers chips are a dividend and a divisor and the answer number thereon is their quotient.

6. A game in accordance with claim 3 wherein the numbers to becalculated on the callers chips are two numbers to be added or one number to be subtracted from another number and the answer number thereon is their sum or difference, respectively.

7. A game in accordance with claim 1 wherein the groups formed as letters of the alphabet spell a word employed in said certain expression.

8. A game in accordance with claim 3 wherein the largest number is 81, to thereby limit products to not to exeed 9X9 or quotients not to exceed 81.

9. A game in accordance with claim 8 wherein the answers consist of: 0, l, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,1012,14, 15, 16,18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 28, 30, 32, 35, 36, 40, 42, 45, 48, 49, 54 56, 63, 64, 72 and 81.

10. A game in accordance with claim 1 wherein said work is FACTS and said certain expression is Thats a fact. 

1. A game for aiding in learning in which a caller announces a problem and a player announces the answer thereto, comprising: A. a plurality of playing boards, one for the caller and one for each player of the game, each having a plurality of like shaped areas thereon, each area having indicia thereon which is the answer to the problem, B. said areas being arranged in a plurality of groups, each group being disposed within an area corresponding to a letter of the alphabet, the letters of the alphabet spelling a word, each answer occurring only once in the entire array of answers each board, the combinations of answers in the groups differing on the boards, whereby one player may find an answer in one letter of the alphabet and another player may find the answer in another letter of the alphabet. C. other like areas disposed within at least some of said groups which are indentified therein by insignia other than an answer, D. a plurality of blank chips for the player, or for each player if there be more than one, the chips being identical and devoid of distinguishing indicia thereon, said chips adapted to be placed on and cover the answers on the player''s board, E. a plurality of like shaped chips for the caller for covering problems on the caller''s board, F. the last named chips each having a problem indicia thereon and at least some being at least in duplicate, the construction and arrangement being such that: a. the caller may select at random one of his supply of chips and announce the problem thereon, b. a player may announce the answer to the problem and place one of his chips over the answer on his board and, if the caller agrees that it is correct, other players, if any, may similarly place a blank chip over the corresponding answer on his board, c. in the event the answer is occupied by a blank chip on a player''s board he may announce such fact by a certain expression and dispose a chip on one of said areas indentified by other than an answer, and d. such procedure continuing until all areas in one of said groups on a player''s board are covered by chips.
 2. A game in accordance with claim 1 wherein the answers on a player''s board are representative or suggestive of the problems in the caller''s chips, A. the problem is the multiplication or division of two numbers and the answer is their product or quotient, respectively, B. the problem is a written fraction and the answer is a segment of a circle representing same, C. the problem is a State and the answer is the Capital thereof, D. the problem is the numerical time of day E. the problem is a dimension in one system of measurement, and the answer is its equivalent in another system of measurement, F. the problem is the addition of two numbers, or the subtraction of one number from another number and the answer is the sum or difference, respectively.
 3. A game in accordance with claim 1 wherein the problem indicia on the caller''s chips comprise two numbers which are to be calculated and also the answer to the calculation.
 4. A game in accordance with claim 3 wherein the numbers to be calculated on the caller''s chips are a multiplicand and a multiplier and the answer number thereon is their product.
 5. A game in accordance with claim 3 wherein the numbers to be calculated on the caller''s chips are a dividend and a divisor and the answer number thereon is their quotient.
 6. A game in accordance with claim 3 wherein the numbers to be calculated on the caller''s chips are two numbers to be added or one number to be subtracted from another number and the answer number thereon is their sum or difference, respectively.
 7. A game in accordance with claim 1 wherein the groups formed as letters of the alphabet spell a word employed in said certain expression.
 8. A game in accordance with claim 3 wherein the largest number is 81, to thereby limit products to not to exeed 9 X 9 or quotients not to exceeD
 81. 9. A game in accordance with claim 8 wherein the answers consist of: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 28, 30, 32, 35, 36, 40, 42, 45, 48, 49, 54 56, 63, 64, 72 and
 81. 10. A game in accordance with claim 1 wherein said work is ''''FACTS'''' and said certain expression is ''''That''s a fact.'''' 